Page 57 of I’d Be Honored

What began as a competition for Hayley—a chance to prove New York’s superiority—had shifted into something far more personal over the course of the last few weeks. She’d found herself sharing places that really mattered to her, pieces of a past she rarely let herself revisit. She was shocked to realize that talking to Maddie about her mom felt strangely freeing, as if each memory she shared made her a little lighter.

Being at the beach house had brought back the last summer Hayley spent with her family in the Hamptons, memories playing out like movie reels from the moment they had arrived. Her mom had nursed her fourteen-year-old self through her first heartbreak that year with a quiet, steadfast patience, always knowing when to offer advice and when to give space.

During those months, Hayley had watched her parents closely, trying to understand love through the jagged edges of their arguments, their tender truces, and the unspoken rule that they never left the house angry. Ever.

Yet, she learned from the bright moments too. She remembered her mom leaping onto her dad’s back as he ran into the freezing ocean, both of them laughing until a wave swallowed the sound. Her parents’ love was imperfect but unwavering. Hayley had once wanted something just as real.

The memories faded as quickly as they’d appeared, replaced by the truth that sat in front of her. Maddie had slipped past every wall Hayley had carefully constructed. The feeling was unlike anything she’d ever known, and that terrified her. Each time Maddie gently asked what they were to each other, Hayley felt the words lock in her throat. Panic drowned out all else, and she debated running before she could get hurt.

After days of hiding in her office, Hayley knew she couldn’t avoid Maddie forever. Showing up at Gemma and Caitlin’s house unannounced probably hadn’t been her best idea, but being around their friends made facing Maddie feel a little less overwhelming.

And once again, despite everything, Hayley found herself drawn into Maddie’s arms again that night.

“GOOD MORNING,” MADDIE CROONED AS SHE peppered kisses across Hayley’s face and neck.

Hayley smiled softly while her eyes adjusted to the daylight spilling into the room. Each time she woke up with Maddie, she felt rested and strangely hopeful, as if the day had already decided to be kind to her.

“It’s really not fair that you look so pretty in the morning.” Maddie looked down at her, cheeks glowing. “Is tonight too soon for our date?”

Hayley felt her nerves twist as if someone had tugged a string inside her. “A date? Was I talking in my sleep again?”

Maddie’s blue eyes sparkled, and the excitement radiating from her face was enough to make Hayley stop teasing her.

“Seven p.m. Text me the address.” She kissed Maddie’s cheek and slipped out of bed.

Hayley kept the oversized graphic T-shirt she had borrowed and tugged on her slacks from the night before. The shirt smelled like lavender and cedar, and she wasn’t ready yet to give up the comfort of Maddie’s scent.

“Morning,” Gemma and Caitlin greeted in unison from the kitchen table.

Maddie grabbed two mugs from the cabinet and made Hayley’s coffee with a splash of oat milk just the way she liked.

Hayley offered a small, grateful nod as she wrapped her fingers around the warm cup.

Turning toward the table, she asked, “Gem, would you care to join me on the terrace?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Gemma replied, smiling knowingly.

Caitlin glanced at Maddie. “Their morning coffee dates are sacred, if you haven’t noticed. Outsiders strictly forbidden.”

Hayley rolled her eyes, mostly because she was right.

Gemma grabbed her mug and stole a quick kiss from her fiancée. “Don’t get too jealous, baby.” She looped her arm through Hayley’s and headed out the back door.

“Everything okay?” Gemma asked once they were outside, tucking herself into the couch.

Hayley mirrored her position. “No.” She took a sip of her coffee, hoping it might give her courage. “I accidentally told Maddie I would go on a date with her—a real date. And she wants to go tonight. I’m terrified, Gem.”

“Oh, Hay.” Gemma laid a sympathetic hand on top of hers. “This could be good. I think you should give it a real shot.”

“The ache in my chest when I remember she’s leaving soon tells me otherwise. I can’t be the one left here, picking up the pieces of my heart. I just can’t.” Hayley looked down and noticed that her hands were trembling.

Gemma pulled her into a hug, and Hayley let her head fall onto her best friend’s shoulder.

“I know opening up feels terrifying, Hay, but you can’t go into tonight already convinced that it won’t work. What if it does? What if it turns into something really amazing?”

Hayley sighed. Then she lifted her head and met Gemma’s eyes. “What should I wear?”

“What about that short, sexy black dress that’s been collecting dust in the back of your closet for years?” Gemma fanned herself dramatically.